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Substitutes Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface scored for Bayer Leverkusen in the first-leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie against West Ham.
The Hammers resisted the marauding Leverkusen attack for long spells before being broken down late in the Europa League match.
Thursday night’s victory means Bayer Leverkusen remain unbeaten in all competitions this season. Xabi Alonso’s excellent side have now gone 42 matches without a defeat in the 2023/24 campaign.
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Ghana star Mohammed Kudus wasted a great opportunity in the first half. Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick was also denied by the impressive Lukasz Fabianski in both halves.
West Ham missed the services of Edson Alvarez and Jarrod Bowen on the night. While top scorer Bowen is injured, Alvarez was suspended ahead of the game.
Alex Grimaldo, Shick and Edmond Tapsoba all made efforts to open scoring but Fabianski proved equal to the task.
Hammers players Lucas Paqueta and Emerson Palmieri will both miss the second leg next week after they were booked.
Jeremie Frimpong also saw his low shot directed straight at Fabianski.
Late goals seal Bayer Leverkusen victory
However, the 38-year-old goalkeeper was not going to deny Hofmann for the opener in the 83rd minute. The German had only been on the pitch for seven minutes.
Meanwhile, in the first minute of additional time, Nigerian striker Boniface scored the second.
The former Union Berlin forward scored his first goal since returning from injury. Also, he has not started any game following his comeback from the injury layoff.
West Ham are left with a huge mountain to climb if they are to qualify for the Europa League semi-final.
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